Pakistan captain Babar Azam has surpassed Virat Kohli to become the new number one ODI batsman in the latest ICC rankings, ending Kohli’s 41-month reign. He became only the fourth batsman from Pakistan to attain the number one rank in ODI cricket.
The 26-year old batsman played a match-winning 82-ball-94 runs knock in the third match against South Africa at Centurion, which helped him gain 13 rating points to reach 865 points. He now leads Virat Kohli by 8 points.
Babar Azam has been one of the best batsmen in the world for a while. He’s been a consistent performer in all formats. His elegant strokeplay has often drawn comparisons with the Indian captain Virat Kohli. Azam led from the front and scored 228 runs in 3 innings in the recently concluded ODI series against South Africa, including a century in the first match. On the back of these performances, Azam has moved ahead of Kohli – who enjoyed over three years at the top of the rankings.
Babar Azam has now joined the elite list of Pakistani batsmen who achieved no. 1 ranking in their careers – Zaheer Abbas (1983-84), Javed Miandad (1988-89), and Mohammad Yousuf (2003).
“This is another milestone in my career, which will now require even more hard work and absolute consistency with the bat in order for me to hold on to the ranking for an extended period of time,”
Azam said.
In an official statement released by Pakistan Cricket Board, Babar expressed that his ultimate target is to lead the batting charts in the longest form of the game. He realised for that to happen, he needs to score more consistently and against top-quality teams. Azam currently splits Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant in the Test rankings at the sixth position.
“I feel privileged and honoured to have joined the company of stalwarts like Zaheer Abbas, Javed Miandad and Mohammad Yousuf, who will always be the shining stars of Pakistan cricket. I have also previously topped the T20I rankings, but the ultimate ambition and goal is to lead the Test rankings, which are the real testament and reward to a batsman’s calibre, reputation and skills.”
he added.
Babar Azam and Virat Kohli are the only two batters to be in the top six in all three formats.
Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman moved up in the rankings, five positions up to attain a career-best seventh position after his knocks of 193 and 101 in the second and third ODI against South Africa. Left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, who picked up six scalps in the three matches, jumped up four spots to a career-best 11th place.
Less than 24 hours after dethroning Virat Kohli from top of the ODI batting rankings, the Pakistan captain brought up a sublime hundred in the third T20 against South Africa. Babar smashed a record-breaking 122 off just 59 deliveries to chase down 204 with nine wickets and two overs to spare against the hosts South Africa at Centurion. Pakistan now have a 2-1 lead in the four-match Twenty20 series.
Mohammad Rizwan scored an unbeaten 73 as he and Babar put on a record 197-run partnership in a monstrous display that helped visitors mow down a huge total with ease.
Leading the series 2-1, Pakistan will take on South Africa at Centurion on 16th April with series honours on the line. Babar Azam has a chance to win both ODI and T20I series in South Africa as a captain.
